Top 5s: from the delightful to the disturbing

This year has been a year of great contrast in pop culture—from great films that have students yearning for the past to fashion faux pas that couldn’t have them more excited for the future to, well, “double rainbow all the way!” In grand tradition, Spectator A&E editors bring you their lists of 2010’s best.

Top 5 bizarre things sent to the A&E mailbox
5. Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band “Greatest Hips Volume II” cd: This Asheville, N.C.-based band prides itself on how much fun its music is for audiences. After listening to songs with titles like “Horn Star” and “@$$” (the chorus of the latter being a hypnotic repetition of “Ba-donk-a-donk, ba-donk-a-donk”), I can’t really blame them.

4. A cactus-shaped stress ball: Fox’s “Sons of Tuscon” sent a tiny, squishy cactus over with their press kit, and not a moment too soon—my rage toward the plant family was starting to get out of control, and I was really straining to find a way to release it in a safe, wholesome manner!

3. Jay-Z’s “Decoded”: Oh, there’s nothing bizarre about this. Receiving a free copy of the rapper’s new book—part memoir, part lyrics collection—made for one very happy day in the A&E office. Hova is our king.

2. A press invitation to Rock Lodge Nudist Club: This northern N.J. getaway is a “family-oriented” lakeside naked paradise hoping to attract more young people as guests with a Spectator feature on it. I have no words.

1. Treating Yourself magazine’s cannabis issue: Too soon with the Columbia drug bust news. Way, way too soon.
—Christine Jordan, A&E editor

Top 5 Broadway leading ladies
5. Laura Linney: What better play star to round out this musical-heavy list than Linney? Her portrayal of a war-wounded photojournalist in “Time Stands Still” is heartbreaking, and watching Linney on screen pales in comparison to watching her live.

4. Kate Baldwin: The revival of “Finian’s Rainbow” closed—arguably prematurely—in January, but Baldwin’s drop-dead gorgeous voice and endearing Irish accent made audiences yearn for St. Patrick’s Day.

3. Bernadette Peters: Catherine Zeta-Jones may have won the Tony, but now that Peters has taken over her role in “A Little Night Music”, Broadway audiences finally get to hear what “Send in the Clowns” should really sound like.

2. Christiane Noll: Although the revival of “Ragtime” lasted only days into 2010, Noll must be recognized for her beautifully poised yet steely performance as Mother. She’s the most under-appreciated Broadway diva of the year.

1. Marin Mazzie: After Alice Ripley’s powerhouse performance in “Next to Normal,” it seemed like no other actress would be able to fill her shoes when Ripley moved on to lead the show’s national tour cast. Mazzie—and her refreshingly on-key rendition of the score—proved otherwise.
—Maddy Kloss, A&E print deputy

Top 5 shows in their umpteenth season that we haven’t given up on
5. “Grey Anatomy”: The show seems to be losing viewers left and right, but the die-hards are sticking it out. Now in its seventh season, the show has resorted to the classic outlandish subplots—one-in-a-million diseases and resurrections among them.

4. “The Office”: Supporters were outraged when they heard beloved funny man Steve Carell was leaving. Even post-Jim-and-Pam-get-together, the masses are tuning in every week to see what modern memes are being brought to the water cooler.

3. “America Next Top Model”: Make fun of it all you want: Yes, the seasons are called “cycles.” Yes, Tyra’s outfits are whack. But even in it’s 15th cycle, the show feels fresh. This season, Tyra upped the ante. The winner got a spread in Italian Vogue. Maybe by cycle 20, they’ll get American Vogue! Or, a career at all!

2. “Project Runway”: Heidi’s accent is still adorbz even in the show’s eighth season. The epic switch from Bravo to Lifetime made it a little less edgy, but they haven’t “Army Wives”-ified it yet. The challenges still deliver (fruits and vegetable dresses!), and the contestants are still as eclectic as ever.

1. “Law and Order: SVU”: Devotees have stuck by “SVU” through its 11 seasons. It doesn’t matter that the episodes are all essentially the same—weird problem, indecipherable clues, dramatic trial, unforeseen resolution. We can’t get over the thrill of busting crime before even having to go to law school. They make it look so fun
—Joe Daly, A&E online deputy

Top 5 terrifically bad music videos
5. “Money Can’t Buy You Class” by Countess Luann: Countess Luann, of “Real Housewives of New York” fame makes a decidedly unclassy move in this delightfully awkward video. Her antics range from having a male model lace up her corset to teaching him how to properly set a table. And let’s not forget the age wisdom imparted: “Elegance is learned, my friends. Elegance is learned, oh yeah.”

4. “Hot mess” by Chromeo: When watching this video, I can’t help but wonder if the police station run entirely by angry females is somewhat inspired by David Macklovitch’s classrooms at Barnard. Things get even steamier (including Dave 1’s glasses) when the police station turns into a marble spa complete with muscular women doing water aerobics.

3. “Dynamite” by Taio Cruz: Apparently Taio Cruz’s fantasy world consists of 50 or so bikini-clad welders working in a junk yard by day and getting their dance on at night. I guess it should be no surprise that he shows up on a motorcycle and brings suitcases full of dynamite, a hot tub, fruity cocktails and, of course, an explosion.

2. “California Gurls” by Katy Perry: The woman shoots whipped cream out of her chest. And then, of course, there’s Snoop Dogg’s classic rhyme: “Bikinis, tankinis, martinis / No weenies / Just a king and a queenie.”

1. “Miracles” by Insane Clown Posse: There are no words except these: “Water, fire, air and dirt / Fucking magnets, how do they work?”
—Ashton Cooper, A&E associate

Top 5 YouTube videos
5. Baby Bob Marley: Bob Marley must be smiling from heaven at the sight of a screaming and crying baby boy who turns into an angel, becoming completely silent and bobbing his head to the music, when “Buffalo Soldier” plays.

4. Three-year-old crying over Justin Bieber: As if we need another reminder that Bieber Fever has invaded, a video of a three-year-old girl crying over her love for the teen pop sensation is one for the hissy fit history books.

3. The ned intruder song: Antoine Dodson, the brother of the bed intruder victim, has a message for everyone: “Y’all need to hide yo kids, / hide yo wife, / hide yo husband, / ’cause they’re raping everyone out here.” That’s fair warning.

2. The Rent Is Too Damn High Party platform: Who knew politics could be so entertaining? Watching Jimmy McMillan, founder of the Rent Is Too Damn High Party, repeat his campaign slogan with his carefully sculpted beard and frantic hand motions definitely calls for some laughs. After all, if you want to marry your shoe, he’ll marry you.

1. Double rainbow (auto-tuned): It’s the song that forever changes people’s perception of the natural phenomenon by evoking the excited raspy voice “Double rainbow, / oh my God, / it’s a double rainbow all the way!” put on repeat, with exaggerated oohs and ahhs in between. At least it makes for a catchy song remix, complete with auto-tune and instrumentals, as a one-hit wonder on iTunes.
—Claire Fu, A&E associate

Top 5 dance breakouts
5. “Glee”: This hit show choir program has been dancing up a storm during its second season this year, performing everything from the classic “Singing in the Rain” to the contemporary “Umbrella.”

4. “Step Up 3D”: The third part in everyone’s favorite steamy street dancing trilogy had an over-the-top combination of break dancing, capoeira, and the robot in 3D format may have had a lackluster plot, but it still was a source of great eye candy.

3. Lady Gaga: Lady Gaga’s futuristic choreography in her 2010 hits, including “Telephone” and “Alejandro,” succeeded in getting her audience’s attention. Her bedazzled, gaudy costumes perhaps merited more attention than her dance moves, however, although her fragmented, mechanical moves are a remarkable interpretation of other disjointed choreography, like popping and locking.

2. “Black Swan”: The buzz surrounding this new film about the pressures of performing are a near guarantee that ballet will chassé back onto center stage with contemporary relevance—when even the trailer is visually stunning, you know you have a winner.

1. The Dougie: Cali Swag District’s “Teach Me How to Dougie” made uncomfortable dancers everywhere comfortable swaying back and forth while stroking the backs of their heads. Now that’s an accomplishment.
—Melissa von Mayrhauser, A&E associate

Top 5 nostalgia films
5. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1”: The immense college-aged turnout for the midnight premiere of the film proves that we all still want to believe in the magic of the Harry Potter-verse. As the most complex and moody film of the series yet, it fed more than just our inner child.

4. “Babies”: For anyone with siblings, this film recalls the best and worst times of his or her most adorable era. And at only 80 minutes, this doc has all of the cuteness but none of the dirty diapers.
3. “the social network”: Remember that time before Facebook when you met someone new and didn’t know instantly if they had a boyfriend or girlfriend? “The Social Network,” aside from being one of the best films of 2010, brings nostalgia for a time when meeting people meant you actually had to get to know them.

2. “Kick-Ass”: Who didn’t want to be a superhero when they grew up? Well, Hit Girl does it at 10 and literally kicks a ton of ass in the film. She’s the cursing, karate-chopping badass that everyone wishes they could have been as a kid.

1. “Toy Story 3”: When the original “Toy Story” became a hit, most Columbia students were around the age of six. That attachment to Woody, Buzz, and the gang had us all weeping by the end of the saga 15 years later as Andy deals with donating his toys before he goes off to college, just like we all did.
—Rachel Allen, A&E associate

Top 5 crazy couture creations
5. Alexander McQueen exposed blue party dress: Nippin’ out is one way to describe the infamous creation from Alexander McQueen’s spring 2010 collection, which exposed a good portion of the model’s front side. It’s also a toss-up which added more height to the look: the towering hairdo or tremendous platform heels.

4. Alexander McQueen blue frock: Another one from Alexander McQueen’s spring 2010 collection. Consider it fashion’s equivalent to Avatar, the favorite sci-fi movie of the year. At least McQueen limited blue to the clothing.

3. Viktor & Rolf's wool coat: It’s an inflatable box—it’s a pair of misplaced wings—no, it’s Viktor & Rolf’s take on the wool coat for their fall 2010 collection. The Dutch designers zipped the model out of this weird masterpiece on the runway to reveal other creations layered underneath.

2. Chanel Eskimo suits: Who knew Roar-ee had such couture influence? Only Chanel’s fall 2010 ensembles probably don’t use faux fur. Emulating a furry animal is one way to stay warm this winter—although, admittedly, even Uggs are cuter than this. Not to mention a whole lot cheaper.

1. Lady gaga’s meat bikini: Before the meat dress, there was the meat bikini. It wouldn’t be the best of cooky without some Lady Gaga on the list. The pop star was first adorned in raw meat for a cover of Vogue Hommes Japan and then accepted her VMA Video of the Year Award in a meaty dress and cap in September. PETA wasn’t a fan.
—Allison Malecha, A&E associate